What Is A Snapchat Streak?

A feature called Snapchat Streak was introduced into the popular messenger app without much explanation. But what exactly do the hourglass and flame emojis mean next to the names in the friend list?

What Snapchat can do should now be clear to most people : messages, pictures and videos can be sent or posted in the public story – after 24 hours everything is automatically deleted. With great filters, pictures and videos can also be elaborately decorated. If someone takes a screenshot, the sender receives a notification. So far, so clear. A feature called Snapchat Streak that was introduced in March 2016. However, now causes question marks among many users. We explain what these streaks are all about.

Motivation for Snapchat users

A streak is simply a series or a series – so this is about successive snaps that users send to each other. With the feature, Snapchat wants to encourage its fans to use the app even more. Especially so that it won’t be forgotten in the face of fierce competition from Facebook, Instagram and Co.

Number increases per day of the streak

So if two users send each other snaps within 24 hours, a so-called Snapchat streak begins. A flame emoji and a number appear next to the name in the friend list, showing how long the Snapchat streak has been in days. Whenever both friends have sent each other a snap in the next 24 hours, the series is extended and the number next to the flame increases. Only photos or videos count here, pure chat messages do not prolong the streak.

Hourglass: Attention, the series is breaking off!

If the 24 hour period is exceeded without a snap being sent, the streak ends and the number is reset. As soon as it gets tight and the 24 hours slowly run out, an hourglass appears next to the flame – now another snap must be sent so that the Snapchat streak stops.

Record hunt with Snapchat streaks

So if there is a flame with the number 5 and an hourglass next to a name in the friend list, it means that you have already sent yourself snaps within 24 hours for five days. However, the time limit within which you can continue the Snapchat streak is slowly expiring. So one of you should quickly send a snap to the other if you want to continue the series. Some users even take Snapchat streaks as an opportunity to set records among friends.